Southern California -- this just in

Jerry Brown vetoes higher fines for driving while using cellphones

Gov. Jerry Brown on Wednesday rejected a proposal that would have taken a bigger bite from the wallets of drivers using hand-held cellphone and sending text messages.

Repeat offenders could have ended up paying more than $500 when court fees and penalties are added in, under legislation sponsored by Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto).

Simitian proposed that the base fine for the first offense increase from $20 to $50 because of concern that not enough motorists are complying with the 3-year-old hands-free requirement for cellphone uses.

Simitian called the veto "a lost opportunity to save more lives," adding "I’m disappointed but the governor gets the last word."

Photo: A motorist talks on his cell phone while waiting for the signal to change at the intersection of Santa Monica and Wilshire Boulevards in Beverly Hills on Jan. 29, 2010. Credit: Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times